Hayworth counts on low turnout

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz — Just one in five registered voters is expected to cast a ballot in today's Republican primary election, and J.D. Hayworth is clinging to that statistic as a hopeful sign for his Senate bid against John McCain.

"I think the low turnout will translate to conservative votes and translate to a shocking upset," said Hayworth as he emerged with his wife from the Scottsdale church where he cast his ballot.

Story Continued Below

"I think what you are seeing is a shift in the electorate. I think the motivated voters are conservatives, are these awakened Americans, are these tea party members, and I think that's why we're going to pull the upset," he added.

The former congressman said the expected 20 percent turnout was not a reflection on the electorate but, rather, where the energy and interest lies this midterm cycle.

He also believes that Gov. Jan Brewer's clear shot at the Republican nomination — which was uncertain before she signed Arizona's controversial immigration bill into law — would most likely depress turnout among moderate voters.

"The motivated element of the electorate is conservatives, and conservatives are showing up to vote today. The question remains, did the $21 million convince conservatives that somehow John McCain should be allowed to continue his onward path to amnesty despite this delay and detour in campaign rhetoric," asked Hayworth, referring to McCain's spending over the course of the campaign.

McCain, the former two-time presidential candidate, took no questions from the press after offering a 30-second statement outside of the north Phoenix elementary school where he voted Tuesday morning.

"It's a great day, a little warm, but I'm sure we'll have a great turnout," McCain said before walking away from the pack of media that surrounded him.

When a television reporter attempted to follow the senator toward his SUV, longtime aide Brooke Buchanan swiftly boxed the correspondent out with her body.

After mounting a withering assault against Hayworth this summer, McCain has declined to mention his opponent or take many questions from the media in the final days.

Allies say it's a sign of his confidence while opponents argue it shows his frustration with a primary campaign that has forced him to address uncomfortable questions about his shifts in positions.

McCain's campaign dismissed the notion that turnout would be low.

While roughly 333,000 Republicans took part in the 2006 off-year primary, McCain spokesman Brian Rogers noted that about 300,000 voted early this year.

"Turnout won't be 'low,'" Rogers argued, continuing with a final jab at Hayworth.

"It's a pretty sad statement that a guy who wants to represent the people of Arizona doesn’t actually want those people to vote. Pathetic to the end," he said.